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The Kropatchek 8x56 R was always Designed as a smokeless Load. The previous Loading 8x60R was the Black powder load For there single shot Rifle.. the model 1886/98 became the standard In 8x56R
If you Buy an original Of the box of 10 8x56R the headstamp is dated beteen 1910-1924 pull the Bullets and you will Find smokeless Powder
If you buy an Original pack of Ten Blanks these are 8x60R blanks and are black powder.
I am Currently using Imr7383 surplus. I have used in the past 4831 with good Results.
I have shot both Modified cast and Reclaimed Factory Bullets .
I have converted all my Age Of Transaction Rifles to smokeless without Problems. with a little experimentation They are exc shooter
I have 4 Kropatcheks , Rifle, Colonial, Short Rifle and Carbine. Each do perform Differently with the same load.

NRA Endowment Member
International Ammunition Association
State Rifle and Pistol Association
ARTCA
New York, the Empire State Where Empires were Won and Lost

What do you guys think about using FFFg in this chambering? Or duplex loads? I heard that the 8mm could get quite dirty with black powder. There just isn't allot of info floating around so I thought I would ask around. I want to use a PP 247gr bullet with 348 brass. I checked my bore and I'm thinking 320 to 321 diameter would be good. I just have to get a custom mold made. I'm not sure the best outfit to do this though as I always found something on the online catalogs from Accurate or Buffalo arms.

The Kropatchek 8x56 R was always Designed as a smokeless Load. The previous Loading 8x60R was the Black powder load For there single shot Rifle.. the model 1886/98 became the standard In 8x56R
If you Buy an original Of the box of 10 8x56R the headstamp is dated beteen 1910-1924 pull the Bullets and you will Find smokeless Powder
If you buy an Original pack of Ten Blanks these are 8x60R blanks and are black powder.
I am Currently using Imr7383 surplus. I have used in the past 4831 with good Results.
I have shot both Modified cast and Reclaimed Factory Bullets .
I have converted all my Age Of Transaction Rifles to smokeless without Problems. with a little experimentation They are exc shooter
I have 4 Kropatcheks , Rifle, Colonial, Short Rifle and Carbine. Each do perform Differently with the same load.

Since I have a Complete set of Rifles. i have not slug the bore. . I started using a Jacketed 170 Gn. speer .323 ( 8mm )
bullet. Then changes to RN to feed in the mag.
The basic Charge is 38.1 Gn IMR 7383 . I used Lee data from There 8mm Lebel using 4831 less appox 15%. All shoot well and Decent group @ 100 yds. military Rifles are what they are and these are No different

NRA Endowment Member
International Ammunition Association
State Rifle and Pistol Association
ARTCA
New York, the Empire State Where Empires were Won and Lost

I have researched this cartridge , Even though I stated I use a .323 Bullet all the surplus ammo I have pulled apart , The bullet Diameter Is .319- 320.
The surplus ammo Is Packs of Ten. with Portuguese writing that states Cartridges 8mm Model 99 . all headstamp 1919 . I do have ammo dated 1924 But have not Pulled them to check
from the Pull The powder Is Extruded rods
Pulling The blanks even Though there 8x60R . The wood Bullet Diameter Is appox .320 with Black powder

NRA Endowment Member
International Ammunition Association
State Rifle and Pistol Association
ARTCA
New York, the Empire State Where Empires were Won and Lost

The only Reason why I chose This Is That Lee uses this In the 8mm Lebel Load data . I have a lot Of Imr 7383 like i said In the above post.
There were other Powder Listed . But this is the one I chose. Info on this cartridge Is Limited . another Thing is that the surplus case powder Is Very course .and it looks similar to 4831 and fills the case to almost the top. This is not very scientific but works for me

NRA Endowment Member
International Ammunition Association
State Rifle and Pistol Association
ARTCA
New York, the Empire State Where Empires were Won and Lost

Been a while since I poured these. I was at work for a month. At any rate they are patched and ready to rock once it gets above freezing outside. I'm thinking I'm going the 3fg route first and see what's going on.

I loaded a few. It looks sort of odd with the long bullet. They weight out at about 245 to 247 ish so they are long for a .320 diameter. I want to get these brass fire formed so I can figure out my paper thickness for best results. I did run some dummies through the tube magazine and I noticed that I am getting a very small 'slice' in the paper so something is sharp down there. It may mean I have to go grease groove but we will see.

So I shot off my first 10rnds with 3f and the fouling was so bad the paper was getting damaged when chambering. The group was about 2' across at 50m. When I cleaned the bore I found that the whole bore had a nice supply of lead along it is whole length. So I loaded up a few more with the same paperpatched projectile but lowered the 3fg charge by 10gr and added 4gr RL-17. This got me 1580fps and a grouping that I could work with. I actually got two consecutive shots in the same hole. I noticed that each round chambered with no damage to the patch and my spent brass seemed cleaner. When I got home I cleaned the bore with 4 patches. The historical load was traveling at 1700fps if I recall and my projectile is the same weight. So I am inclined to perhaps up the smokless by a 1/2gr and see where that takes me. Site won't let me upload my group photo but I will try later